Menokreatikkul; Saturday Stitches

 

Mac1 was very happy with the little pouch I shared with you last week and has provided two images showing it with the little workbook it was created to protect, which gives you a chance to see her miniature collage skills, too!

Another FO needed to find its way to the intended recipient... the summer jacket for Aitch. We met up in Edinburgh (more on that in due course) and when she tried it on, I could instantly see that it would have been better to not only take her main measurements but also check her shoulder width. I give only the back image as it shows best where I mistook. This is directly per the pattern I was using, but I could have adapted it as I did for my own. So I have kept back the garment to adjust. I have (I hope!) just sufficient yarn left to draw in over the shoulders, plus, per her request, reduce the back scoop. Although the pattern does have this very wide circular neckline, Aitch would prefer it further up her back. So, a little challenge for the hooker here!!! 

We both really liked the drape on her, though, and she said it felt really nice on. It floats and swings nicely, and the cap sleeve is just the right length for her. (We agreed the black check shirt was not the best for modelling it, but I hadn't warned her in advance!) Full poses when adjustments are made!

Menoturals; Eclectica

It's Nature Friday again! I bring you a slightly offbeat connection to nature, though you are perhaps not so surprised about that, given how offbeat I've gone already lately!

First...summer's on the way!!!

Really, nothing screams summer quite so much as a bowl of juicy, luscious berries... am I right? I'm a real berry fiend, but golly, I am noticing how the prices are getting silly for such produce... but that's a whole other discussion.

Next, I spotted a Hooded Crow while parked near The Hutch earlier this month. There are quite a few around now, whereas they used to be found much more north of there. The RSPB now shows them as being resident right down the west coast of Scotland, all the way to the Solway Firth. They are attractive Corvids.

The next three images were taken on my latest visit to the National Gallery of Scotland for the Open exhibition. There were many video installation entries, and Mac1 and I thoroughly enjoyed the eight or nine videos that we watched. In particular, there was a 20-minute film of coastal Scotland, showing all the rocks, the tides, the vegetation, and the fauna—it was positively blissful!

...and here is where I remind all of you who like joining in, that next week is also Final Friday!!!

Menoooooooooohhhhhhhh...

I got a message from Evri that they had received notification of my parcel. 

I scratched my head. Evri is arguably the least reliable courier service in the UK and is very prone to scams. As I had not done any online shopping or via any other means, I ignored it.

Two hours later, another message came saying they had collected the parcel.

???

After doing lots of research about Evri scams, and checking their own site on managing such things, gathering all the clues and checks, I came to the conclusion it was valid. Then I had a flashback to an exchange I'd had with Dru... and that my wee nephdog Nobby wanted me to have a couple of memento items.

Fair enough. 

After that initial notification on Thursday 8th, it took Evri until Monday 12th to deliver. They called it a 'safe place'...

The thing is, they weren't delivering to The Hutch, but to Mac1's home in Edinburgh. I advised Dru to send it there because I had rather thought I would be back on the road by this time. 

Both sissy and I hoped that this was just for the photo and that the deliverer pushed the thing fully through the door. She's on a main road and any passer-by could just wheech it oota there and run with it!

Glad to say, all was safe and well when sissy got home. 

She guarded it well until I got back across to Edinburgh last weekend.

I knew what the contents were: a knitted pot holder that Gail had made back in Bouncing Bertie days, and a tote bag she had been gifted by another friend, and I'd seen her using for local groceries a few times. So these familiar items have been so kindly forwarded to me as a fond memory and a continued connection with a very dear friend. It just remains to show you a photo of these things - the bag will hold crochet projects, and the knitted square will be hung like art.

My immense gratitude and Love to Drusilla (and Nobby) for taking the time and cost of forwarding these gifts.